Post by "Pop" Stran on May 14, 2005 12:00:15 GMT -5
AKA: Oil Consumption-vs-National Security
For reasons we've never understood, environmentalists tend to think they are liberals, while supposed conservatives are attracted to such absurd vehicles as the Hummer and Expedition.
Now a group of high-level hawks is echoing the doves in calling for U.S. energy independence, warning that gas guzzlers and other energy wasters are financing terrorists and leaving the U.S. vulnerable to a "perfect storm" of fuel supply disruption.
Even if you're not concerned about global warming, environmental degradation and so forth, America's irrational energy consumption is frightening.
Until now, it's been left to environmentalists to argue that gas guzzling cars and trucks need to be reined in...but now U.S. national security experts are speaking up.
"There is an understanding in the national security community we need to do something about oil dependence," said Anne Korin, policy director for the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security.
Korin wants the U.S. to invest heavily in clean cars, plant-based fuels, and fuel-cell technology.
Korin and others are proposing a $12 billion plan, called Set America Free.
The money would be spent mostly on incentives to consumers, automakers and fuel providers encouraging the use of hybrids and alternative fuels, mostly alcohol.
Korin said that while the United States is fighting terrorism, it is funding its enemies through payments for imported oil.
The security experts are also worried about the effect energy supply disruptions could have.
The defense hawks' plan cites a "perfect storm" of geopolitical, economic, and environmental problems with continued high U.S. oil consumption, and recommends rapid development of hybrids and other available technologies, new fuels, and cars that can use them.
...Well Gee Whiz; Join us in welcoming the tax-fed experts to the level of thinking that John Q. has been discussing at the watercooler for years...at least since September of '01.
For reasons we've never understood, environmentalists tend to think they are liberals, while supposed conservatives are attracted to such absurd vehicles as the Hummer and Expedition.
Now a group of high-level hawks is echoing the doves in calling for U.S. energy independence, warning that gas guzzlers and other energy wasters are financing terrorists and leaving the U.S. vulnerable to a "perfect storm" of fuel supply disruption.
Even if you're not concerned about global warming, environmental degradation and so forth, America's irrational energy consumption is frightening.
Until now, it's been left to environmentalists to argue that gas guzzling cars and trucks need to be reined in...but now U.S. national security experts are speaking up.
"There is an understanding in the national security community we need to do something about oil dependence," said Anne Korin, policy director for the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security.
Korin wants the U.S. to invest heavily in clean cars, plant-based fuels, and fuel-cell technology.
Korin and others are proposing a $12 billion plan, called Set America Free.
The money would be spent mostly on incentives to consumers, automakers and fuel providers encouraging the use of hybrids and alternative fuels, mostly alcohol.
Korin said that while the United States is fighting terrorism, it is funding its enemies through payments for imported oil.
The security experts are also worried about the effect energy supply disruptions could have.
The defense hawks' plan cites a "perfect storm" of geopolitical, economic, and environmental problems with continued high U.S. oil consumption, and recommends rapid development of hybrids and other available technologies, new fuels, and cars that can use them.
...Well Gee Whiz; Join us in welcoming the tax-fed experts to the level of thinking that John Q. has been discussing at the watercooler for years...at least since September of '01.